As a maker, I have always found inspiration in the Natural world and have collected countless 'objects' and images that expand my vocabulary as a maker...from smooth fossilised stones , gnarly seedpods, dried Autumn leaves, images of colour combinations that spark an urge to capture this feeling in clay.
I tend to explore my ideas through sketching and creating maquettes that can be scaled up once I am satisfied with the form. A combination of hand building, coiling and throwing techniques are used to create larger pieces , smaller vessel forms are thrown and altered. Multiple colour test tiles are created when deciding on the surface pattern which is then painstakingly hand painted using a variety of brushes .
A move to a large studio space in recent years has allowed me to explore larger new work and wall based installations .
Last Winter, there were some beautiful dusk skies that inspired new colour combinations of soft grey/blues and fading yellows that I used on some 'Floating vessels'. [ see image]
A large 'Ebony Bindu' form, recently completed , reflects the wonderful fossilised Ki limestone to be found in the wonderful alleyways of Kilkenny city.